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HPI - Goal 4 To identify and conduct projects that address selected, non-trivial application problems and demonstrate how to employ models, measurements, and computer-based tools to solve everyday human performance problems encountered by a wide range of practitioners. |
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While Goals 1-3 have been stated to characterize problems in a general way, we recognize that no one in particular is interested in solving "the general problem". In fact, the progress we have made in terms of "the general problem" has been largely accomplished while working on application-specific problems and taking it upon ourselves to keep the general issues in mind.
Our roots in neurology and rehabilitation have provided us some natural application areas within which we have consistently worked. We have learned that performance measurement itself can be an intervention leading to enhanced performance in much the same way that knowing one's blood pressure (and factors that influence it) can positively influence cardiovascular health.
HPI has human performance
and its measurement, understanding, and enhancement as our primary
interests. To facilitate the conduct of applications research
projects in a good representative sample of the application areas
envisioned, it has been necessary for us to form strategic alliances
with other institutions; i.e., those have as a primary interest
"the problems of the application area". While initially
carried out in somewhat of an ad hoc manner, we have now
evolved and are fostering a somewhat standardized approach for
doing this, which we refer to as the "Satellite Center"
concept. Satellite sites are now at the heart of our Goal 4 strategy.
| Much university-based research involving advanced technology, such as HPI's, is supported by an existing industrial complex related to that technology. It is often that industrial complex which represents the target for "applications research". Such is not the case for human performance. While there is a huge amount of industrial effort expended on human performance measurement and assessment, it is a highly fragmented industry. Furthermore, there are many things which we at HPI can now do (because of the progress summarized on this web site), for which there is no industrial source. There is, however, a huge and clearly identifiable marketplace associated with enhancement of human performance (e.g., educational organization, health clubs, musical training, etc.). By integrating HPI's general work into environments such as these, it is anticipated that we can demonstrate that a "common approach" is possible. We expect to be able to exert appropriate influences over the long run that will result in a more cohesive industrial complex that supplies human performance measurement, modeling, and analysis tools that work together synergistically and more effectively to solve ever-more-complex problems - because they are rooted in the same conceptual frameworks. |
"Satellite Centers" Concept
Beginning around1996, the Satellite Center concept has been pursued as a means to best disseminate research results into application domains. This also increases opportunities to obtain support for the many projects that will be necessary to try new approaches to problems in these domains (and fully achieve HPI's stated goals).
While somewhat of a misnomer, the term "satellite center" captures the proper notion (albeit from an HPI perspective). According to this strategy, HPI continues to have a primary focus on generalizable aspects of human performance and problem-solving tools and will not attempt to "become the experts" in each and every arena where our generalizable products can be applied. Rather, we work to team with entities and, if necessary, help to develop appropriate entities in specific application niches. These entities have expertise in place on the application side, but might lack expertise with regard to human performance science and technology. They would exist in their own right, but also could be considered to be somewhat like "satellites" of HPI - especially during their certain phases of operation.
One aspect of the strategy is to build these sites as locally as possible (i.e., within the DFW metroplex - or Texas) first, which would have obvious logistical advantages. It turns out that DFW provides an almost ideal location for this. Thus far, we have established satellite connections in the areas of medicine (rather broadly), music, physical therapy, sports, and advanced training systems. Figure 22 identifies these sites and also attempts to convey how this factors into our plans to obtain support jointly for the next phase of our research and to address the applications problems of interest to each satellite.
MEDICINE
Fogelson Neuroscience Center: Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas
Texas Woman's University: Physical Therapy
MUSIC
University of North Texas Center for Music Medicine
SPORTS
Mannatech, Inc.
